Alumna
Kristine Pierce retires her jersey and gains an award

When women's hockey
player Kristine Pierce '99 was asked to stand at RIT convocation
ceremonies in May, the applause was thunderous in the crowded
tent. The RIT community was justifiably proud: this spring Pierce,
team captain and All American, was named as the 1999 Hockey
Humanitarian. Chosen from a field of 17 nominees from all over
the nation, she is the first female and the first Division III
player to earn the prestigious national honor, which goes to
"college hockey's finest citizen."

At convocation,
RIT Athletics Director Louis Spiotti announced that Pierce's
number 12 jersey would be retired in her honor. In her eight
years of volunteerism, Pierce has worked with some 24 different
organizations on 199 different occasions for a total of over
485 hours. The Big Brother Big Sister Program, Habitat for Humanity
and Camp Good Days and Special Times are just three of the organizations
that have benefited from Pierce's dedication.

The Honeoye Falls-Lima
High School graduate has also earned over 30 scholarships and
awards in the past five years including the Cancer Action Mark
Zagata Award, given to a young person who is courgeous in coping
with cancer.

"We are very honored
and very happy for Kristine," Spiotti said. "I have seen hundreds
of student athletes pass through our program. Kristine will
stay in our memories as the one who had the most positive impact.
Her leadership, energy and spirit will be with us long after
she graduates."